Filter always clogging

[Ironcity]

Hi there, my name it Robert and I hail from Pittsburgh, PA.

I read a post from someone else on the forums here, that had a similar issue as what I’m dealing with. Once they plugged in what system they were running, someone said the filter system was only designed for 8,000 gallons.
My pool is about, 15,000 gallons. And the filter is new. About a month old now. Finally, got everything working great and water tests great. Except for filter clogs so fast. I spray it down and run it and return pressure is strong and runs at 10psi.
An hour later and the psi goes to 15, and the return water is slower.
The pool factory web site states the filter/pump combo treats up to a 24’ pool size.
I’m beginning to think I need a better pump or just a bigger filter system.
Any suggestions?
Thank you...

 

[Ironcity]

Hi there, my name it Robert and I hail from Pittsburgh, PA.

I read a post from someone else on the forums here, that had a similar issue as what I’m dealing with. Once they plugged in what system they were running, someone said the filter system was only designed for 8,000 gallons.
My pool is about, 15,000 gallons. And the filter is new. About a month old now. Finally, got everything working great and water tests great. Except for filter clogs so fast. I spray it down and run it and return pressure is strong and runs at 10psi.
An hour later and the psi goes to 15, and the return water is slower.
The pool factory web site states the filter/pump combo treats up to a 24’ pool size.
I’m beginning to think I need a better pump or just a bigger filter system.
Any suggestions?
Thank you...

Also, I listed the pool specs in my profile.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Robert,

Is your water green or cloudy??? Generally, when a filter clogs right away it is because of water quality, which is a chemical issue and not a filter issue..

You should read this... ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

And then take a look through our Pool School..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Ironcity]

Hey Jim,
Nice to hear from you.
I took a water sample to pool
City. Had to put 11lbs alkalinity, 4lbs ph. A pack of super shock, 4lbs stabilizer and 16oz of some acid to remove the phosphates which were about 780ppm.
The pool was cleat and started to get cloudy but after a week of f adding the chems, one a day, it cleared up. I cleaned the filter soaking it in dawn. Had to rinse it out for a while and soaked it to rinse again. It clogged up again.
I shut
Off the pump yesterday and ha met put it in bc I do t want to burn up the motor.
I tested the readings and everything is perfect.

and I have already read the pool school article about filter cleaning g and the muratic acid cleaning.

I got frustrated yesterday and gave up.

 

[Ironcity]

I just want to clarify that the pool water is crystal clear now. After the week of adding what chemicals pool city said I needed.
I still have a clogged filter like I had 3 weeks after I turned the pump on for the first time.
It’s now a month since I put it up.

 

[Flying Tivo]

You definitely need to stop going to the pool$tore. You need to be able to test your own water, that is why we recommend a proper Test Kits Compared also order the speedstir. As Jim said earlier, you have a chemistry problem, which means you have algae that is clogging up your filter. Read up on ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry, meanwhile you get your kit, you can add 5ppm of liquid chlorine to the pool each day so it does not get worse. Use PoolMath or download the app to your phone.
Uppsss, forgot to welcome you to TFP.

 

[Newdude]

Hey Robert and Welcome !! To echo Jim’s remarks above, Search for fast clogging filter. There are hundreds if not thousands of posts from members that found their way here for your issue. All of them blaming the filter, and 98% of them having a chemistry issue. Above ground systems are in fact undersized more often than not, But it takes a couple of weeks to clog them up. When it’s as quick as yours, it’s an algae problem and the filter is actually performing great by trapping it.

‘But Newdude..... the water is crystal clear ‘
Thanks for bringing that up !! Algae has to get to a certain amount of infestation for it to be seen. Many many times it can sit on the fine line of being right at the edge of a full blown explosion for weeks or even longer. That’s where we get the most new members coming in just like yourself. The water is great. The #s are great. But the filter jams up quick or it takes a lot more chlorine everyday.

get yourself a good test kit with the savings from divorcing the pool store. It will pay for itself 20 times over. Read up on all the links posted above and we will walk you though the rest until it clicks.